You may be already aware of this, as you have mentioned the old Stylish Queen bitch in one of your posts. Just from what I have seen going down the road, I certainly would get a little more of her in the pedigree as often as possible. Many nice hounds can be traced back to her. Just a plain good reproducer.

Some time people let stuff like that slip away. Either from being kennel blind, or lack of old time knowledge. A prime example would be the Nance dogs. They had their hot streak. But it would be my guess that the further they got away from the Johnsons Banjo dog the further away from what we all look for got. Ya can't just substitute what ya think should be in a pedigree, or what ya think would be attractive to others. Always have to have target individuals based on your knowledge or others you can trust. You have some good stuff there, don't let it slip through the spaghetti strainer.

Take care, Willie

Cry to the heavens and let slip the dogs of war. For they must feed on the bones of tyranny. In order for men to have freedom and liberty

I try to keep Queen close in my pedigrees. But as you know that's not an easy task. I know that she put her mark on the breed even today from certain traits (blue eyes, rear dewclaws) but I believe a lot of good hunting ability comes with those genes. I really like the dogs derived from Bozo. Clover and Coma are my favorite for all around dogs, good nose mouth brains. My Patch dogs tend to be better beardogs, faster, not as much nose and actually not as good of coondogs (imagine that out of competition dogs) I have had no luck with the highly revered big game stock. All my bests were out of competition stock or local unheard of dogs.

I will be repeating the Gamble X Aspen cross. As my luck would have it, I kept an awesome little male and female off this past litter born in November (2013), as I've been waiting for a daughter to replace Aspen for some time now. My little pick female died a couple weeks ago at 4 months old, the Vet believe she ate part of a rope toy. I am determined to get a female off these two before either of them gets any older. The male pup I have taken hunting twice now at 4 months old and he HUNTS like he's a 10 month old dog. Roading, swimming, trailing, not a lick gunshy - never seen any type of trainer, just taken to the woods. I tried buying the other female from this litter back, no luck, and everyone else that got one is in love with them.

Here is a picture of my 5 month old male "Legend" who is out of Gamble and Aspen. He is a complete natural. He roads and hunts hard, will get in the briars, water, tullies and runs a track (that's right he actually trails, not just following dogs) with a huge bawl mouth. He also trees pretty well (when he's sure it's there) with a big triple chop mouth. Gets in there and is all over a coon. Coon crazy. Never seen any type of trainers. Just taken hunting. Will be making this cross again soon.

I plan on breeding my Jane female to Gamble this year. I've considered different males for 4 years and he's the one I think will be the best cross.. She'll be turning 8 this year so this will be her second and last litter of pups.

She's not the coldest nosed or the fastest dog out there but she is 120% heart and determination. She is an absolute joy to own and hunt and if I had to clone one dog for the rest of my life to hunt, she'd be it.. Since I can't afford to I'm expecting this cross will give me a replacement for her. Gamble pups are getting great reports and I'm looking forward to raising a batch of them.

I'll update when she's bred but won't post any pups for sale until everyone who has already asked for a pup has made their pick.

Melanie, I was wondering when you were gonna make the announcement. I was starting to think you'd had a change of heart. I am seriously thinking about postponing both my crosses this year. I'd really like a pup off Gamble and Jane. I love my Aspen X Gamble pup, and want another batch for sure. But I do believe Jane has the best breeding of any dog thats been/being bred to Gamble yet. I need one! Aspen is getting old. But I hate having a litter back to back when the first cross is still so young... I am going to be drowning in pups again. Go big or go home I guess.

I was going to wait and see what I had before I posted anything I really have no idea when she'll be in... thinking mayish but she's been sporadic of when she's come in the last few times. Didn't want to jinx myself...

For everyone who's asked, I'll try and get her pedigree up tonight. She's used as a fox and bobcat dog primarily. Solid accurate tree dog.

Melanie HamptonHome of OutWest Hounds

You've only got 3 choices in lifegive in, give up, or give it all you got.

Thanks for the pedigree Mel,I have Jane going back to House's Lipper 7x, by my search. Gamble himself has a 16.48% COI. He goes back to House's Lipper 10x, Hardwood Bozo 7x, River Bend Flag 3x, Stylish Queen 2x, and Sackett Jr 2x... Though we can get lost in pedigrees. But I'm more excited about what they will do in the woods. I am truely stoked.